Today 06/12/13, at approximately 4:06 a.m., Cromwell Police received a report of a person driving a vehicle causing damage to a greenhouse facility on West Street near New Lane in Cromwell and driving erratically as the vehicle entered West Street. The caller further gave police a description of the vehicle as the vehicle entered West Street.

A Cromwell Patrol Officer responding to the complaint observed the suspect vehicle operating erratically on West Street traveling in the opposite direction. The Cromwell officer turned his patrol car around to attempt to catch up to the suspect vehicle. As the officer approached the intersection of West St & Washington, he came upon the suspect vehicle that had been involved in a crash where the vehicle had run off the right side of the road and struck a building.

The driver of the suspect vehicle attempted to exit the vehicle to flee from the officer. The suspect exited the vehicle and attempted to flee when he had an interaction with the officer. The officer fired his service weapon, striking the suspect. The officer requested EMS and also provided emergency care to the suspect at the scene. The suspect was transported to Hartford Hospital where it is reported he suffered non-life threatening injury and was reported to be in stable condition.

** UPDATE **

The suspect was arrested during the afternoon of June 12 by State Police. He is identified as Joshua BEASTON, DOB: 3/29/92, Vicki Lane, Cromwell.He is charged with: LARCENY 2ndClass CFelony, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1st Class D Felony, and Criminal Trespass 2nd Class B Misdemeanor.

Accused BEASTON is under State Police guard while an inpatient at Hartford Hospital. His bond is set at $500,000 until he is arraigned in Superior Court Middletown.

The scene was secured by Cromwell Police. At the request of Cromwell Police Chief Anthony Salvatore and State’s Attorney Peter McShane, the State Police Major Crime Squad was requested to respond to conduct the investigation into this incident. State Police Detectives will process the scene, collect any physical and forensic evidence, and interview any and all witnesses in this incident. Detectives will examine the entire event and provide the findings to States Attorney for review.

The identification of the Cromwell Officer is being withheld at this time. As it is the Cromwell PD policy, the officer involved will be temporarily assigned to an administrative assignment.